Tamperproof carton and blank for making same



Aug. 19, 1969 M1. FARQUHAR $4 TAMPERPROOF CAR TON AND ELAN K FOR MAKING SAME Filed Sept. 29, 1967 2-Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

+ 7 MELVILLE T. FARQUHAR 64 BY ymmn almuiw HIS TTORNEYS. .Y

United States Patent 01 ice 3,462,066 Patented Aug. 19, 1969 U.S. Cl. 22939 14 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This disclosure relates to an improved tamperproof carton, and blank for making same, having at least one closure defined by a set of extension flaps extending from adjacent walls wherein such extension flaps are folded into a common plane and interlocked together without requiring separate fastening means and such flaps are held interlocked in such a manner that the carton cannot be opened except by tearing a portion thereof.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Many products including food products, cosmetic products, medicinal products, and the like are sold in containers 'wherein each container may contain a plurality of individual packages of a particular product. A common problem with products sold in this manner using present 1y known containers is that such containers are very easy to open and a potential purchaser is often tempted to open a particular container to examine the individual packages, and often upon reclosing the particular container an adequate reclosure is not provided with the result that individual packages often fall from within the carton and are often misplaced and/or damaged. In addition, many present containers containing individually wrapped small packages invite pilfering because they are to easy to open.

SUMMARY This invention provides an improved tamperproof carton, and an improved blank for making the same, which has a self-locking closure provided in at least one of its exterior walls which is formed without requiring separate fastening means such as adhesive means, or the like.

Other details, uses, and advantages of this invention will become apparent as the following description of the embodiment thereof presented in the accompanying drawings proceeds.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The accompanying drawings show a present preferred embodiment of this invention, in which FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary carton of this invention having tamperproof locked closures comprising its bottom and top;

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary perspective view particularly illustrating a set of extension flaps extending from the top edge of the vertical walls of the carton of FIG- URE l and which are adapted to be folded into a common plane and interlocked to define the tamperproof top for such carton;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary perspective view similar to FIGURE 2 and illustrating the manner of folding three of the extension flaps in position prior to folding the outer flap thereagainst;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary perspective view similar to FIGURE 3 and showing the manner of folding a locking tab provided in the outer flap substantially perpendicular to such outer flap to enable easy insertion thereof in an associated cut provided in an inner flap comprising the carton top;

FIGURE 5 is a plan view looking normal to the top of the carton of FIGURE 1 particularly illustrating the relative positions of the various extension flaps;

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view on the line 66 of FIGURE 5;

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view on the line 77 of FIGURE 5; and

FIGURE 8 is a plan view of the blank used to make the carton of FIGURE 1.

DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT Reference is now made to FIGURE 1 of the drawings wherein an exemplary tamperproof carton of this invention is illustrated and designated generally by the reference numeral 20. The carton 20 has a bottom 21, a pair of end walls each designated by the same reference numeral 22 fastened to opposite ends of bottom 21, and a pair of side walls each designated by the same reference numeral 23 fastened to opposite side edges of the bottom 21 and each side wall 23 has its oppoiste edges fastened to associated edges of the end walls 22. Carton 20 also has a first set of cooperating extension flaps extending from the top edge of the vertical walls 22 and 23 and such extension flaps are folded and interlocked together in a common plane to define a top 24 for carton 20 in a manner as will now be described in detail.

As seen particularly in FIGURES 24 of the drawings the above-mentioned first set of extension flaps extending from the top edges of vertical walls 22 and 23 comprises an inner flap 26 extending from one of the side walls 23 and having a cut designated generally by the numeral 30 extending therethrough. A pair of intermediate extension flaps each designated by the same reference numeral 31 is provided and each intermediate extension flap 31 extends from an associated end wall 22. An outer extension flap 33 is also provided so that it extends outwardly of the other side wall 23 and extension flap 33 has a locking tab 34 extending outwardly of its terminal end.

The extension flaps 26, 31, and 33 are folded into a common plane to define top 24 and upon inserting locking tab 34 through cooperating cut 30 a locked tamperproof top 24 is provided for carton 20. Further, it will be seen that the flaps 26, 31, and 33 lock together without requiring separate fasteners such as metal fasteners, adhesives, or the like.

The cut 30 provided in inner flap 26 is comprised of an elongated rectilinear central portion or central cut designated by the numeral 35 and a pair of roughly V-shaped portions or V-shaped cuts each designated generally by the same reference numeral 36 arranged adjoining opposite ends of central portion 35 so that the bight indicated at 37 of a given V-shaped portion 36 adjoins an associated end of central portion 35. Each roughly V-shaped cut 36 has its diverging legs designated by the numerals 36A and 36B respectively to enable easy reference thereto hereinafter. The central portion 35 and in particular legs 36A of V-sha-ped portions 36 of cut 30 cooperate to provide an effective lengthening of the central portion 35 thereby enabling easier insertion of the locking tab 34 in position upon folding outer flap 26 in position to close top 24.

Each intermediate flap 31 extending from an end wall 22 is comprised of a substantially trapezoidal inner portion 40 and a substantially rectangular outer portion 41. Each substantially rectangular outer portion 41 has an edge indicated at 42 which, with the inner flap 26 folded in its closed position, registers above the rectilinear central portion 35 of cut 30 to define a guide edge.

Referring to FIGURE 3 of the drawings it is seen that the inner flap 26 is folded in position first followed in folding sequence by the intermediate flaps 31. Upon folding the flaps 31 in position it will be seen that each guide edge 42 of each flap 31 is arranged in a registered manner above the rectilinear central portion 35 of cut 30. This arrangement is provided to assure that upon folding the outer flap 33 in position the locking tab 34 must be folded substantially perpendicular to outer flap 33 in the manner illustrated at 44 in FIGURE 4 whereby the locking tab 34 is inserted and held in a substantially vertical position within the carton 20 as shown in FIGURE 6.

This arrangement of locking tab 34 assures that a product comprised of a plurality of individual packages each designated by the same reference numeral 45 contained within carton .20 are not engaged by the locking tab 34. It will be appraciated that in assembling carton 20 with the packages 45 in position and in a mechanized closing operation it would be possible to damage a package 45 in the event that the closure tab 34 is not inserted and held substantially perpendicular to top 24 in the manner illustrated in FIGURES 4 and 5.

Outer or closure flap 33 has a first score line 50 defining its base and the top edge of its adjoining side wall 23 and a second score line 51 is provided in outer flap 33 which defines the base of the locking tab 34. The score line 51 enables the locking tab 34 to be folded in an easier manner substantially perpendicular to the main portion of outer flap 33, as shown at 44 and previously mentioned, for easy insertion along the guide edges 42, and through cut 30.

The locking tab 34 has a substantially trapezoidal or approximately wedge-shaped outline and is provided outwardly of outer flap 33 so that its parallel sides are arranged parallel to the score line 50 defining the base of the outer flap 33. The trapezoidal locking tab 34 is arranged outwardly of outer flap 33 so that the longer one of its parallel sides projects laterally outwardly an equal amount beyound each side edge 53 to define a locking projection at each side with each locking projection being designated by the same reference numeral 54.

Although locking tab 34 has been shown and described in this example of the invention as being trapezoidal it will be appreciated that it may have any desired shape that will provide an easy lead-in such as, triangular, any segment of a circle, etc. Thus regardless of the particular shape of a tab similar in function to tab 34 it would be roughly wedge-shaped having lock-ing projections similar to projections 54.

Each locking projection 54 is adapted to engage the inner flap 26 between an associated V-shaped portion 36 of cut 30 to thereby assure that the top 24 is firmly fastened in a self locking manner upon finally inserting the locking tab 34 in position. In particular, it will be seen that any effort to raise the outer flap 33 once it is locked in position results in an edge 55 of each locking projection 54 engaging the inner flap 26 to thereby assure that the top 24 cannot be opened except by tearing or damaging the carton 20.

Also, it will be noted that the construction and arrangement of flap 26 and intermediate flaps 31 is such that a double thickness wall is provided against which edge 55 of each locking projection 54 urges which makes it practically impossible to open car-ton 20 Without substantial damage thereto. Thus, it will be appreciated that this tamper-proof locking closure is such that it discourages any opening of the carton 20 while the carton is on display and has a product therein which is to be sold.

The inner flap 26 has a score line 60 defining its base and the top edge of its adjoining side wall 23 and it will be seen that the central portion 35 of cut 30 is arranged in inner flap 26 so that it extends substantially parallel to score line 60. The inner flap 26 also has relief means shown in this example as a score line 61 which is arranged outwardly of the central portion 35 of cut 30 and between the outwardly extending legs 36B of the roughly V-shaped cuts 36. The score line 61 enables the locking tab 34 to be inserted and locked in position in an easier manner. In particular, it will be seen as shown at 59 in FIGURE 6 that the score line 61 enables a portion of inner flap 26 arranged between central portion 35 and score line 61 to be folded inwardly about score line 61 to provide easier insertion of the locking tab 34 in position. It will be appreciated that score line 61 may be replaced by an elongated slit in certain applications; however, in those instances where a slit is used it should not extend all the way between the end portions of the outwardly extending legs 36B of the roughly V-shaped cuts 36.

As seen particularly in FIGURES 3 and 5 of the drawings the carton has a pair of spaced apart tear means or areas provided in inner flap 26 and each designated generally by the same numeral 63. Each tear means 63 provided in inner flap 26 is roughly aligned with an outwardly diverging leg 36A of an associated V-shaped cut portion 36 of cut and extends away from such associated leg toward an inner corner of the inner flap 26.

Although any desired tear means or weakened line or area of separation may be provided to define each tear means 63, in this example of the invention a plurality of substantially parallel spaced apart slits is provided to define each tear means 63 and each of such slits is designated by the same reference numeral 64 with only a representative few of such slits being so designated. The slits 64 defining each tea-r means 63 are of equal length and are arranged so that each is intersected by an imagniary line extending from an adjacent end of central portion of cut 30 to an adjacent inner corner of the inner flap 26.

Although carton 20 has its top wall 24 locked in a tamper-proof manner as described above, the tear means 63 enables easy opening thereof. Thus, it is a simple matter to insert an object such as a fingernail, for example, through the central portion 35 of cut 30 and sever the exposed portion of the inner flap 26 and thereby release the intermediate extension flaps 31 as well as the outer flap 33 and provide access to the individual packages contained within carton 20.

Because the manner of opening described above results in a substantial tearing of a top wall it is most unlikely that carton 20 will be opened for casual observation without purchase or by a would-be pilferer.

As seen particularly in FIGURE 3 of the drawings, each substantially trapezoidal inner portion 40 of each intermediate extension flap 31 has one of its non-parallel side edges indicated by the reference numeral 66 aligned substantially parallel to an associated tear means 63 defined by elongated slits 64. Upon inserting an object within the central portion 35 of cut 30 and pulling inner flap 26 outwardly, the side edges 66 of trapezoidal inner portion 40 provide a tear edge against which the adjoining portion of inner flap 26 may be more easily torn.

Carton 20 may be formed in any suitable manner and made using any suitable foldable material. However, it is preferably formed from the carton blank designated generally by the numeral 70 and illustrated in FIGURE 8 of the drawings. Blank 70 is made of paperboard, or the like, and may have one or both of its sides laminated with metallic foil, such as aluminum-containing metallic foil, or the like, which may be suitably colored, embossed, imprinted, or remaining plain, as desired.

Blank 70 is suitably cut and scored so as to define the resulting carton 20 upon assembly thereof and has a pair of parallel spaced apart score lines each designated by the same reference numeral 72. Each score line 72 is arranged adjacent an associated edge of blank 70 and defines a lateral extent in one direction of end walls 22 and side walls 23.

Blank 70 also has a plurality of parallel spaced apart score lines designated by the numerals 73, 74, 75, and 76 and defining a fastening flap 80 extending outwardly of score line 73, one side wall 23 extending between score lines 73 nad 74, one end wall 22 extending between score lines 74 and 75, the other side wall 23 extending between score lines 75 and 76, and the other end wall 22 extending outwardly of score line 76 and against which fastening flap 80 is fastened to define a substantially tubular structure upon partially assembling the blank 70 together to partially define carton 20 by folding it about its score lines 73-76. The fastening flap 80 may be fastened in position in any suitable manner as by adhesive means, or the like.

The extension flaps defining the top 24 of the resulting assembled carton 20 extend from one edge of the walls 22 and 23 and outwardly of one score line 72 shown as the top score line in FIGURE 8. In particular, it is seen that inner flap 26 extends outwardly of one end portion designated by the numeral 60 of an associated score line 72, one extension flap 31 extends outwardly of an intermediate portion of such score line 72, the outer flap 33 extends outwardly of another portion designated by the numeral 50 of score line 72, and the other extension flap 31 extends outwardly of the end portion of associated score line 72 opposite from end portion 60.

The component parts defining each of the various extension fiaps 26, 31, and 33 comprising top wall 24 of the resulting carton 20 were previously described in detail in connection with the description of the carton; therefore, for ease of presentation such description will not be repeated. However, the various component portions of each flap will also be designated by their corresponding reference numerals on the blank as shown in FIGURE 8.

The bottom of carton 20 of this exemplary embodiment of the invention is made so that it is substantially identical to the top 24 of the resulting carton 20. In particular, the extension flaps 26, 31, and 33 extending outwardly of the opposite score line 72, i.e., bottom score line in FIGURE 8, are identical to the top extension flaps previously described with the exception that tear means are not provided in the bottom defining inner flap 26. Therefore, a detailed description will not be made in connection with the bottom extension flaps 26, 31, and 33; however, as before, corresponding extension flaps and their component portions will also be designated by the same reference numerals. Also, it will be appreciated that the cooperating action described in detail in connection with the top-defining extension flaps is fully applicable to the bottom-defining extension flaps.

In this exemplary embodiment of the invention a tamper-proof self-locking closure is provided in carton 20 in both the bottom 21 and top 24 thereof and with only the top 24 having tear means 63 provided therein to facilitate easy opening. However, it will be appreciated that the bottom of a carton similar to carton 20 may be provided in a substantially conventional manner by using extension flaps which may be permanently fastened together as by adhesive means or separate fastening means in a normal manner and yet have the unique top closure of this invention.

The tamperproof locking closure is provided in the exemplary carton 20 presented in this disclosure in both the top and bottom thereof and the adjoining walls have been referred to as side walls and end walls for ease of description and presentation and to correspond to the arrangement of the carton 2G in the drawings. However, it is to be understood that the carton 20 may be oriented in any desired manner and the improved tamper-proof locking closure of this invention may be provided with or without easy opening means in one or more of its walls, as desired.

While a present preferred embodiment of this invention has been illustrated and described, it will be recognized that this invention may be otherwise variously embodied.

What is claimed is:

1. A carton comprising, a bottom, a pair of end walls fastened to opposite ends of said bottom, a pair of side walls fastened to opposite side edges of said bottom and each being fastened to said end walls, and a first set of cooperating extension flaps extending from the top edge of said walls and being interlocked together in a common plane to define a top for said carton, said first set of extension flaps comprising, an inner flap extending from one of said pair of side walls and having a cut extending therethrough, a pair of intermediate flaps each extending from one of said end walls and being folded against said inner flap and each having a guide edge registering above said cut, and an outer flap extending from the other of said pair of side walls and having a locking tab extending outwardly thereof, said locking tab being provided outwardly of said outer flap and having a'pair of locking projections comprising opposite side edges thereof with each locking projection having an inner edge, said guide edges guiding said locking tab so that it is inserted substantially vertically through said cut during closing of said top and said first set of extension fiaps providing a locked tamper-proof top for said carton, said cut comprising an elongated rectilinear central portion and a pair of roughly V-shaped portions adjoining its opposite ends with each V-shaped portion having a bight adjoining an associated end of said central portion and a pair of diverging legs, said central portion and V-shaped portions cooperating to enable easier insertion of said locking tab therethrough and each inner edge of each locking projection engaging said inner flap between a pair of diverging legs of an associated V- shaped cut portion to thereby assure said top cannot be opened except by tearing once said outer flap is locked in posltron.

2. A carton as set forth in claim 1 in which said outer flap comprises a first score line defining its base and the top edge of its adjoining side wall and a second score line provided therein parallel to said first score line and defining the base of said locking tab, said second score line enabling said locking tab to be folded substantially perpendicular to said outer flap for easy insertion along said guide edges and through said cut.

3. A carton as set forth in claim 1 in which said inner flap comprises a first score line defining its base and the top edge of its adjoining side wall and said central portion of said cut is arranged in said inner flap substantially parallel to said first score line, and said inner flap further comprises relief means arranged outwardly of said central portion of said cut and parallel thereto, said relief means and cut enabling said locking tab to be locked in position in an easier manner.

4. A carton as set forth in claim 3 in which said relief means comprises a second score line.

5. A carton as set forth in claim 1 in which each of said intermediate flaps is comprised of a substantially trapezoidal inner portion and a substantially rectangular outer portion and each substantially rectangular outer portion has an edge which registers above said rectilinear central portion of said out to define said guide edge.

6. A carton comprising, a bottom, a pair of end walls fastened to opposite ends of said bottom, a pair of the side walls fastened to opposite side edges of said bottom and each being fastened to said end walls, and a first set of cooperating extension flaps extending from the top edges of said walls and being interlocked together in a common plane to define a top for said carton, said first set of extenslon flaps comprising, an inner flap extending from one of said pair of side walls and having a cut extending therethrough, a pair of intermediate flaps each extending from one of said end walls and being folded against said inner flap and each having a guide edge registering above said cut, an outer flap extending from the other of said pair of side walls and having a locking tab extending outwardly thereof, said guide edges guiding said locking tab so that it is inserted substantially vertically through said cut to assure that it will not strike a product carried within said carton during closing of said top and said first set of extension flaps providing a locked tamper-proof top for said carton, said cut comprising an elongated rectilinear central portion and a pair of roughly V-shaped portions adjoining its opposite ends with the bight of each V-shaped portion adjoining an associated end of said central portion, said central portion and V-shaped portions cooperating to enable easier insertion of said locking tab therethrough, and a pair 'of tear means in said inner flap each being roughly aligned with one leg of an associated V- shaped portion of said cut and each tear means extending away from its associated one leg toward an inner corner of said inner fiap, said tear means enabling said carton to be easily opened by inserting an object through said central portion of said cut and severing the exposed portion of said inner flap to thereby release said intermediate extension flaps and outer flap and provide access to the product contained within said carton.

7. A carton as set forth in claim 6 in which each tear means is defined by a plurality of substantially parallel spaced apart slits arranged so that each is intersected by an imaginary line extending from an adjacent end of said central portion of said out to an adjacent inner corner of said inner flap.

8. A carton as set forth in claim 6 in which each of said intermediate flaps is comprised of a substantially trapezoidal inner portion and a substantially rectangular outer portion, each substantially rectangular outer portion has an edge which registers above said rectilinear central portion of said cut to define said guide edge, and each substantially trapezoidal inner portion has one of its nonparallel side edges aligned substantially parallel to an associated tear means and provided a tear edge against which the adjoining portion of said inner flap may be more easily tom.

9. A blank being cut and scored and adapted to be assembled to define a resulting carton, said blank comprising, a pair of side walls, a pair of end walls foldably fastened to said side walls, a first set of cooperating extension flaps extending from one edge of said walls and being adapted to be interlocked together in a common plane to define a top for said resulting carton, a second set of cooperating extension flaps extending from an opposite edge of said walls and being adapted to be fastened together in a common plane to define a bottom for said resulting carton, said first set of extension flaps comprising, an inner flap extending from one of said pair of side side walls and having a cut extending therethrough, a pair of intermediate flaps each extending from one of said end walls and being adapted to be folded against said inner flap and each having a guide edge registering above said cut in said resulting carton, and an outer flap extending from the other of said pair of side walls and having a locking tab extending outwardly thereof, said locking tab being provided outwardly of said outer flap and having a pair of locking projections comprising opposite side edges thereof with each locking projection having an inner edge, said guide edges guiding said locking tab in said resulting carton so that it is inserted substantially vertically through said out during closing of said top and said first set of eX- tension flaps providing a locked tamper-proof top for said resulting carton, said out comprising an elongated rectilinear central portion and a pair of roughly V-shaped portions adjoining its opposite ends with each V-shaped portion having a bight adjoining an associated end of said central portion and a pair of diverging legs, said central portion and V-shaped portions cooperating to enable easier insertion of said locking tab therethrough upon locking said top of said resulting carton and each inner edge of each locking projection engaging said inner flap in said resulting carton between a pair of diverging legs of an associated V-shaped cut portion to thereby assure said top cannot be opened except by tearing once said outer flap is locked in position in said resulting carton.

10. A blank as set forth in claim 9 in which said outer flap comprises a first score line defining its base and one edge of its adjoining side wall and a second score line provided therein parallel to said first score line and defining the base of said locking tab, said second score line enabling said locking tab to be folded substantially perpendicular to said outer flap for easy insertion along said guide edges and through said cut upon assembling said resulting carton.

11. A blank as set forth in claim 9 in which said inner flap comprises a first score line defining its base and one edge of its adjoining side wall and said central portion of said cut is arranged in said inner flap substantially parallel to said first score line, and said inner flap further comprises a second score line arranged outwardly of said central portion of said cut and parallel thereto, said second score line and cut enabling said locking tab to be locked in position in said resulting carton in an easier manner.

12. A blank as set forth in claim 9 in which each of said intermediate flaps is comprised of a substantially trapezoidal inner portion and a substantially rectangular outer portion and each substantially rectangular outer portion has an edge which in said resulting carton registers above said rectilinear central portion of said cut to define said guide edge.

13. A blank being cut and scored and adapted to be assembled to define a resulting carton, said blank comprising, a pair of side walls, a pair of end walls foldably fastened to said side walls, a first set of cooperating extension fiaps extending from one edge of said walls and being adapted to be interlocked together in a common plane to define a top for said resulting carton, a second set of cooperating extension fiaps extending from an opposite edge of said walls and being adapted to be fastened together in a common plane to define a bottom for said resulting carton, said first set of extension flaps comprising, an inner flap extending from one of said pair of side walls and having a cut extending therethrough, a pair of intermediate flaps each extending from one of said end walls and being adapted to be folded against said inner flap and each having a guide edge registering above said cut in said resulting carton, an outer flap extending from the other of said pair of side walls and having a locking tab extending outwardly thereof, said guide edges guiding said locking tab in said resulting carton so that it is inserted substantially vertically through said cut to assure that it will not strike a product carried within said resulting carton during closing of said top and said first set of extension flaps providing a locked tamper-proof top for said resulting carton, said cut comprising an elongated rectilinear central portion and a pair of roughly V-shaped portions adjoining its opposite ends with the bight of each V-shaped portion adjoining an associated end of said central portion, said central portion and V-shaped portions cooperating to enable easier insertion of said locking tab therethrough upon locking said top of said resulting cartons, and a pair of oppositely arranged tear means in said inner flap each being roughly aligned with one leg of an associated V-shaped portion of said cut and each tear means extending away from its associated one leg toward an inner corner of said inner flap said tear means enabling said resulting carton to be easily opened by inserting an object through said central portion of said cut and severing the exposed portion of said inner flap to thereby release said intermediate extension flaps and outer flap and provide access to the product contained within said resulting carton.

14. A blank as set forth in claim 13 in which each of said intermediate flaps is comprised of a substantially trapezoidal inner portion and a substantally rectangular outer portion, each substantially rectangular outer portion has an edge which in said resulting carton registers above said rectilinear central portion of said out to define said guide edge, and each substantially trapezoidal inner portion has one of its non-parallel side edges aligned substantially parallel to an associated tear means in said resulting carton and provides a tear edge against which the adjoining portion of said inner flap may be more easily torn.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Lindemeyer 22939 5 Cage 22939 Acker 229'-39 Thies et a1. 22939 Bixler et a1 22939 1 0 3,305,161 2/1967 Ofier 22939 X FOREIGN PATENTS 635,623 1/ 1962 Canada. 898,041 6/ 1962 Great Britain.

DAVID T. MOORHEAD, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 22951 

